Beethoven's titanic Ninth Symphony surpassed all of its predecessors in both scope and sentiment. By the end of the massive choral finale, he has elevated a simple tune into a resounding hymn of joy uniting all of humanity. Interesting tidbit: Recent Beethoven research has shown that the first two bars of his "joy" melody were suggested by an instrumental theme in Mozart's sacred piece "Misericordias domini," K. 222.

"Stirring solo work (especially Bernd Weikl's ringing baritone) and fulsome and fervent singing by the Gewandhaus Radio Chorus."—Classics Today